The Nation's Former Leaders Pay Respects to Late President George H.W. Bush

"To us, his was the brightest of 1,000 points of light," said former President George W. Bush during the funeral service for his father, former President George H.W. Bush on Wednesday, to a crowd that included every current and former living president and vice president of the United States.

"He showed me what it means to be a president who serves with integrity, leads with courage, and acts with love in his heart for the citizens of our country," said the eldest Bush son. "Through our tears, let us know the blessings of knowing and loving you—a great and noble man, the best father a son or daughter can have. And, in our grief, let us smile knowing that Dad is hugging Robin and holding Mom's hand again."

Also at the funeral were members of Congressional leadership, including Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Chuck Schumer, and Nancy Pelosi, as well as foreign dignitaries, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, who was a friend of H.W.

While President Trump did not speak at the funeral—traditionally, the sitting president usually makes remarks at presidential funerals—he did appear to sit quietly for the duration of the service. According to the New York Times, this is the first time Trump has joined former presidents at any event since his inauguration.

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Former President George W. Bush touches the casket of his father, former President George H.W. Bush, his State Funeral at Washington National Cathedral.

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President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greet former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama at the National Cathedral.

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The Trumps and Obamas sit in a pew in the Washington National Cathedral, along with former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President Jimmy Carter, and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter.

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Bush and his brother, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, arrive for the funeral service for their father.

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Prince Charles attends the state funeral for former President George H.W. Bush.

The State Funeral for former President George H.W. Bush at the National Cathedral.

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Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, former First Lady Laura Bush and former President George W. Bush during the funeral.

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks with with former Vice President Dan Quayle.

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Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions several rows back.

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Former Vice President Al Gore speaks with former President Bill Clinton, as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton greets former First Lady Michelle Obama.

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The remains of former US President George H. W. Bush arrive at the National Cathedral.

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Columba Bush, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, former first lady Laura Bush and former President George W. Bush.

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The Trumps and Obamas at the funeral.

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Former President George W. Bush walks to speak at the state funeral for his father.

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Bush speaks in front of the flag-draped casket of his father.

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Former presidents Barack Obama and Jimmy Carter greet one another.

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Former Sen. Alan Simpson, R-Wyo, speaks.

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The casket of former US president George H. W. Bush during the funeral.

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Former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrives for the funeral service.

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Congressional leaders Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) watch as a U.S. military honor guard team carries the flag draped casket of former U.S. President George H. W. Bush.

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Members of the Bush family watch as a joint service honor guard carries the casket of former US President George H.W. Bush out of the US Capitol.

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The Bushes share a moment as they arrive at the state funeral being held for their father.

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The casket of former US President George H.W. Bush sits in the hearse on the East Front of the US Capitol.

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Former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush.

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Service members prepare for the departure of the casket of former U.S. President George H. W. Bush from the U.S. Capitol.

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A joint services military honor guard carries Bush's casket at the U.S. Capitol.

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A joint services military honor guard puts the casket into the hearse that will transport it from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington National Cathedral.

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People line the street as the hearse carrying the flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush heads to the National Cathedral.

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The hearse carrying the flag-draped casket heads to the National Cathedral.

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